Congress In A Fix Over Andhra Rebels

Hyderabad, May 31: The Congress high command is unable to take a decision on the rebel MLAs in Andhra Pradesh even as the state unit is looking towards it for guidance.The high command is unable

PTI [ Updated: May 31, 2011 19:59 IST ]

congress in a fix over andhra rebels

Hyderabad, May 31: The Congress high command is unable to take a decision on the rebel MLAs in Andhra Pradesh even as the state unit is looking towards it for guidance.

The high command is unable to decide whether or not to crack the whip on errant MLAs who have been sailing with the YSR Congress party of Y S Jaganmohan Reddy.

Compounding its woes, the MLAs siding with Jagan are playing a double game by tactfully displaying their loyalty to both sides equally.

The MLAs are literally taking turns to display their loyalty to Jagan.

While one set of MLAs are taking part in a particular programme, another set is attending some other event with Jagan. At the same time, some of these MLAs are regularly keeping in touch with the ministers and even the Chief Minister, thereby keeping everyone guessing.

"We are unable to do anything. Yes, some of our MLAs are moving with Jagan but they are also meeting the Chief Minister and saying something. We are totally confused," Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee president D Srinivas said today.

For the record, the Congress initiated disciplinary proceedings against four MLAs for violating the party and sailing with Jagan. Officiating Speaker of state Assembly Nadendla Manohar issued notices to the four MLAs and the latter filed their responses as well.

Two days ago, Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy said that the party would take a decision on the rebel MLAs at an "appropriate time".

Now, with the main opposition TDP threatening to move a no-confidence motion against the Kiran Kumar Reddy government, the Congress is caught in a further fix.

If it pursues the disqualification case against the four MLAs and others in the Jagan camp, it is likely to fall short of the majority in the 294-member Assembly.

Even the Praja Rajyam Party and the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen's backing with a total of 24 MLAs will not help the Congress in the number game.

The 11-member Telangana Rashtra Samiti announced it will vote for the no-confidence motion if the TDP moved it while the Left parties and the BJP too are expected to back it.

Jagan will anyway try to seize the opportunity and corner the government. The no-confidence motion will also provide an opportunity to display his real strength.

"We will certainly prove our might in case of a no-trust vote. We have the support of one MLA more than the magic figure (148)," former minister and now a Jagan-loyal, Congress MLA Balineni Srinivasa Reddy, said. PTI